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Coverstory WORDS JACKIE MEYERS : MAIN IMAGE CORINNE DANY He was 17 and straight out of school when he decided to become a priest. It’s a decision that St Thomas Aquinas, Bowral, and St Michael’s, Mittagong, Parish priest Fr Sean Cullen has never regretted. In fact Fr Sean is celebrating 25 years since being ordained on August 4, 1984, and he concedes that his faith continues to grow. He also admits he holds great hope for the future of the Catholic Church and Christianity in general. Fr Sean said the decision to become a priest was prompted by a calling and his was something that developed progressively during his high school years. “I grew up in Campbelltown and came from an active Catholic family. By the time I had finished school I was certain the priesthood was my vocation,” he said. “I was 17 when I began studying at St Patrick’s Seminary in Manly. It was a seven year training program that involved three years studying philosophy and four years on theology.” Fr Sean was ordained within the Wollongong Diocese and has spent the past 25 years sharing the word of God in the parishes of Corrimal, Camden, Wollongong and most recently the Southern Highlands. He was the Dean of St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral Wollongong for 15 years prior to his 6 snapshot magazine:snapshot.realviewtechnologies.com move to Bowral in November 2002. “As a diocesan priest I’m a bit of a generalist – a bit like a general practitioner,” he said. “Our role is to become a part of the community in a general way working in schools, administering the sacraments, making hospital visits and leading church services. “It’s not our style to go out in the street to try and convert people to God, but the church and the sacraments have a valuable presence in the community and as a priest we aim to draw people to the church through the example of our lives. “We believe God has provided the sacraments to help all people along their journey through life. “Attendance at mass is important because it’s where people are given the strength and nourishment they need to progress in life.” Fr Sean believes changes in church services to a more modern approach with up-beat music, often led by children’s liturgy groups, as well as easily understood homilies had made the church more appealing in a busy and ever-changing society. >